Wilier Izoard XP 105 advice

mark_ed

I am looking to purchase my second bike and had narrowed the list to 2,

Trek Madone 3.5

Wilier Izoard XP 105

I am looking for longer days in the saddle covering bigger distances so comfort is my main concern, The Madone 3.5 is a non starter as it appears no stocks available in my size, 6ft3 trek dealer says a 60.

The Wilier is a really nice spec not quite as good as Madone but another LBS has suggested an XL wilier is right and available and that a XXl would see me stretching too far on the bars.

My question is this, are the Wiliers being Italian, Sized smaller as i dont want to be hunched over the bike as i do suffer with a bit of a neck pain. The shop has said the Forks on the Wilier come seperate and they can add an extra spacer to raise it at first and remove later if i feel too upright, and i will get a bike fit in the price.

How do people rate Wiliers as at this money i dont want to get it wrong but he has said they are low stocks also :? When is the best time to buy when stocks are good and you dont feel your in a panic about stocks :shock:

Any advice would be great.

the_fuggler

Best to ride the Wilier to try and answer some of those questions. They have a good fan club on here (try searching the 'Your Road Bikes' section for some examples) and seem pretty well regarded in general.

I believe Trek is rushing the 2013 Madone 3.5 to the shops as the 2012 version has been such a success. Whether the spec will be the same, I've no idea. And it's probably a couple of months away. Depends whether you can wait!

The differences in the spec aren't going to make a massive difference in terms of performance. What's more important is how they fit you and how you feel about the bikes. If you like the Wilier and it fits, then go for it.

ugo.santalucia

Ugo says a Wilier is always a Wilier (W L'Italia LIbera E Redenta) even in plastic... while a Trek is only another plastic bike. I still dribble when I see a "Ramata", the 1980s Wilier copper plated frame

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_atrK-jBKJKY/S ... ier_HT.jpg

Gizmo_

The Fuggler wrote:

I believe Trek is rushing the 2013 Madone 3.5 to the shops as the 2012 version has been such a success.

Which begs the question... why not just make more 2012s?

the_fuggler

Gizmo_ wrote:

The Fuggler wrote:

I believe Trek is rushing the 2013 Madone 3.5 to the shops as the 2012 version has been such a success.

Which begs the question... why not just make more 2012s?

Indeed - the perils of global contract manufacturing I guess.

ajb72

Not sure if this will help or not - you need to see one in the flesh. However, my brother is 6ft tall and rides a Wilier Izoard size large. I am 6ft1" and ride a Cento Uno, also in size large. An XL may well be enough for you.

The trouble with Wilier sizing is that it is not stepped up in exact increments. For example, the head tube on the XL is 3cms taller than the size L. However, it's only 0.5cms difference between an XXL and an XL. In other words, if at all possible try and see the models in the flesh. There is only a 1.5cm longer effective top tube on the XXL than the XL, so a slightly shorter stem would be fine if the rest of an XXL fits. Better that I reckon than fitting a longer stem (e.g. 130mm to an XL.

mark_ed

I appreciate the help folks,

I wish i could see one in the flesh they only had a 56 in store and stocks of the 58 and the 61's are low is all the guy in the shop said after ringing the supplier. He is convinced the 61 would be too big for me, I am a riding a Giant defy XL which is 58.5 and that feels fine. I am no taller than 6ft3, Just dont want to panic with this stocks low situation and rush into it.

£1750 is a lot of cash to me and convincing the wife has been a battle so dont want to get it wrong.

The dealer brought his own 58 in and i sat on but his setup by his own admission was very racy with a longer stem fitted. I am looking for longer rides with the bike but a bit of style to go with the comfort.

Keep the advice coming or any other bikes i may consider. :?

thegreatdivide

I can’t comment on bike frame size as I’m a mere 5.7 with a 29 inside leg and ride an Izoard XP small frame, but I can say that it’s very comfortable and I can do an 80 odd miler without any comfort problems.

Ringo 68

Worth having a look at the Cubes and Giants as well Mark.

If you get a chance, pop into the Cycle Surgery in Eastham. They have a pretty good range of bikes in your price range. Mainly Cube, Giant and Willier.

mark_ed

Cheers Steve,

I saw a post where you said you had bought a Cube GTC Pro. I had a look online its a very nice bike with a good spec. Need to pop in and see one in the flesh. I really like Giant bikes too.

I am a victim of perhaps not stretching my budget on my first bike when the wife wasnt convinced id stick at it.

I thinks shes made up when i go missing for 4 hours at the weekend so she has some peace

Its gonna cost me new flooring in the lounge though that was the deal.

Just thought, I couldnt buy the same bike as you, What would we look like on the same bikes on a ride

the_fuggler

mark_ed wrote:

Cheers Steve,

I saw a post where you said you had bought a Cube GTC Pro. I had a look online its a very nice bike with a good spec. Need to pop in and see one in the flesh. I really like Giant bikes too.

I am a victim of perhaps not stretching my budget on my first bike when the wife wasnt convinced id stick at it.

I thinks shes made up when i go missing for 4 hours at the weekend so she has some peace

Its gonna cost me new flooring in the lounge though that was the deal.

Just thought, I couldnt buy the same bike as you, What would we look like on the same bikes on a ride

Parallel lives...

The Izoard XP Centaur went head-to-head with a Giant Defy Advanced 3 for me. Very close call. Both great bikes. I'd say the Wilier was the more seductive initially, but there's just something I like about looking down and seeing a Giant between my legs...

Not only that, but I did the same thing with my initial cautious purchase to see if I stuck at it before committing to something more expensive. That strikes me as quite a sensible approach - even though you do end up buying two bikes rather than one!

And where it's cost you a new lounge floor, I'm being stung for a new boiler (not the wife, before anyone else suggests it... :shock:)

Enjoy the new bike, whichever you choose!

Ringo 68

mark_ed wrote:

Cheers Steve,

I saw a post where you said you had bought a Cube GTC Pro. I had a look online its a very nice bike with a good spec. Need to pop in and see one in the flesh. I really like Giant bikes too.

I am a victim of perhaps not stretching my budget on my first bike when the wife wasnt convinced id stick at it.

I thinks shes made up when i go missing for 4 hours at the weekend so she has some peace

Its gonna cost me new flooring in the lounge though that was the deal.

Just thought, I couldnt buy the same bike as you, What would we look like on the same bikes on a ride

The Cube Agree Race gets very good reviews and was in the top 5 of C+ Bikes of the year, maybe worth a look. But I don't think you can go wrong with Giants either, they are cracking bikes.

When you go out on rides with me I was hoping you might be on one of these though.



I might have a chance of keeping up then.